The present invention relates generally to a tarp systems, in particular, to improvements to various aspects of a tarp tensioning system. The tarp tensioning system has a plurality of frames, the frames having two or more bow members and a biasing mechanism coupled therebetween to maintain tension on the tarp.

A tarpaulin system for an open cargo hold. The tarpaulin system includes a tarpaulin, a plurality of bows, a plurality of connectors, a cable, and a tail end system. The plurality of connectors connects the plurality of bows to the cable while the tarpaulin is draped atop the plurality of bows. The tarpaulin bracket system allows for quick, and easy, replacement, or fixing, of the plurality of connectors or damaged bows allowing for much easier and efficient replacement while traveling in harsh environments.

A lift assist lock-down assembly for a soft top assembly, the lock-down assembly operably coupled to first and second bows selectively rotatable between an open/sunroof position and an open/downward position. A handle member is rotatable between unlocked and locked positions. A cam and a cam lockout selectively prevent the bows from rotating. When locked in a first position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally rearward/downward, thereby preventing the soft top assembly from moving into the open/downward position. When locked in a second position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally forward/upward, thereby generally preventing the soft top from bouncing or from moving into the open/sunroof position.

A cover for a truck bed that can be horizontally traversed between expanded and collapsed positions is shown. Since the cover is horizontally traversed, the person manipulating the cover need not lift the cover vertically in order to reconfigure the cover between the expanded and collapsed positions. Women and elderly people who are generally not as strong as men can manipulate the cover.

A deployable cap assembly for a pickup truck bed includes a collapsible frame assembly, at least one motor operatively connected to the collapsible frame assembly, and a frame guide system. A flexible cover is attached to the collapsible frame assembly. The frame guide system may include a pair of guide channels disposed at opposed bed sides of the pickup truck bed and a pulley system operatively connected to the at least one motor and to a portion of the collapsible frame assembly. A controller operatively connected to the at least one motor is configured to at least partially translate the collapsible frame assembly between a fully stowed position and a fully deployed position. An actuator is operatively connected to the at least one motor and/or to the controller. One or more actuable light sources may be disposed on the collapsible frame assembly and/or the flexible cover.

A cover for a truck bed that can be horizontally traversed between expanded and collapsed positions is shown. Since the cover is horizontally traversed, the person manipulating the cover need not lift the cover vertically in order to reconfigure the cover between the expanded and collapsed positions. Women and elderly people who are generally not as strong as men can manipulate the cover.

A tarpaulin cover system includes a drive unit for moving the tarpaulin selectively into covering and uncovering positions. The drive unit comprises first and second drive sprockets and a rotatable actuator sprocket with all of the sprockets spaced from and out of contact with each other. An idler sprocket is provided between the actuator sprocket and the drive sprockets. All of the sprockets are interconnected by a chain engaged with teeth with the chain extending partially around each sprocket whereby rotation of the actuator sprocket causes the drive sprockets to move in the intended directions. This motion is transmitted to drive pulleys which drive cables to control the position of the tarpaulin.

The invention relates to a removable cover system comprising at least one arch (6) provided at each of its ends with a slider (5), each slider (5) travelling in a traveller track (4), a flexible cover (3) being fixed to at least one arch (5), comprising an at least partially hollow arch (6), comprising at each of its ends: a plate (7) connected by one end to a slider (5) and connected by its other end to a plate (10), a spacer (11) in contact with the plate (10) and comprising a rectilinear slot close to one end, a curved end of the plate (10) being inserted into the rectilinear slot in the spacer (11), the plate (10) and the spacer (11) being disposed inside the hollow part of the arch (6) and being secured by a screw and bolt fastening assembly, and the plate (10) and the spacer (11) being provided with a longitudinal slot configured to cooperate with the screw and bolt fastening assembly such that the arch (6) slides with respect to the plate (10) and the spacer (11).

The invention relates to a system for controlling the navigation of a motor vehicle equipped with a covering system that can be removed depending on the cargo being transported, comprising a system for controlling a vehicle and a remote site, said control system comprising: a first comparison means capable of periodically comparing the positioning signal received from a means for identifying the position of the removable covering, with a value associated with a position of said removable covering; a control means capable of transmitting a volume request to a means for determining the volume that is being transported, and a position request to a positioning device, upon receiving a signal from said first comparison means; transmitting and receiving means capable of transmitting the volume and the position that have been determined to a remote site and capable of receiving at least one request to load said remote site, including at least one load position, load description and load volume; means for displaying the loading request; and a remote site that is equipped with processing and storing means, capable of receiving the volume and position of the vehicle as determined, of receiving at least one loading request for the vehicle, and of determining whether said vehicle can accept the loading request depending on the vehicle specifications, the vehicle position and the loading request.

A cover for a truck bed that can be horizontally traversed between expanded and collapsed positions is shown. Since the cover is horizontally traversed, the person manipulating the cover need not lift the cover vertically in order to reconfigure the cover between the expanded and collapsed positions. Women and elderly people who are generally not as strong as men can manipulate the cover.